US Foreign Policy under second Donald Trump presidency.

Trump plans to radically reshape US foreign policy – Reuters, 12.18.2023.

Loyal appointees would enable the Republican to rule more effectively than the first time.

Donald Trump’s potential second term in the White House might see Washington stop funding Ukraine, withdraw from NATO, and further cut economic ties with China, Reuters reported on Monday, citing anonymous sources.

During his 2017-2021 presidency, many of Trump’s policies ended up obstructed by unelected government officials and sometimes even his own appointees, according to numerous insider accounts. He seeks to get around that problem by appointing “loyalists” more amenable to his “isolationist policies and whims,” the outlet claimed. 

Reuters admitted that Trump himself has offered “few clues” about his intentions. The article was based on interviews with almost 20 current and former aides and diplomats, most of whom were not named. 

According to eight European diplomats, there are “acute fears” that the second Trump administration would cut off aid to Ukraine and doubts whether it would honor the US commitment to “defend NATO allies.”

“There are rumours that he wants to take the US away from NATO or withdraw from Europe, of course it sounds worrying but... we are not in a panic,” said a diplomat from one Baltic country.

Another diplomat, representing a northern European NATO member state, outlined the options his and some other embassies have sent to their capitals about the November 2024 election. If the incumbent president, Democrat Joe Biden, is reelected, “Things might go rather well: the US keeps on rehabilitating herself,” he said.

A “mild” version of the second Trump presidency would be “a repetition of his first term with some aggressive overtones.” If he actually follows through on pledges to dismantle the ‘Deep State’ apparatus, that would be the “doomsday option,” according to the diplomat.

Trump is currently the favorite for the Republican presidential nomination. If he defeats Biden, he “would likely install loyalists in key positions in the Pentagon, State Department and CIA whose primary allegiance would be to him,” the anonymous aides told Reuters. That would enable him to “advance his foreign policy priorities faster and more efficiently than he was able to when previously in office.”

Making political appointments is the constitutional prerogative of US presidents. However, Trump has hinted he might purge the lower ranks of the federal bureaucracy, on many occasions describing the “Washington swamp” as an impediment to genuine reforms.

“President Trump came to realize that personnel is policy,” Robert O’Brien, Trump’s fourth national security advisor, told Reuters. “At the outset of his administration, there were a lot of people that were interested in implementing their own policies, not the president’s policies.”

Four people who “converse” with the 45th president have said that he regularly gets advice from former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe, Ambassador Richard Grenell, and his one-time deputy, Kash Patel. None of them responded to Reuters’ interview requests. Neither Trump nor his campaign commented on the story.

https://www.rt.com/news/589281-trump-foreign-policy-loyalists/

Reuters reported Trump's plans to moderate the US role in NATO and assistance to Ukraine, 12.19.2023.

Former President USA Donald Trump, if he wins the presidential election in 2024, is unlikely to fulfill Washington’s obligations to protect NATO allies and will stop supplies of aid to Kyiv. The agencyReuters reported this on Monday, December 18.

“Unlike the 2016 election campaign, Trump has now formed a group of people with whom he regularly communicates and who have serious experience in the field of foreign policy and enjoy his personal trust,” the material notes.

In addition, as the agency emphasized, the concerns of European and American diplomats are related to the fact that Trump “gave few clues as to what kind of foreign policy” he plans to pursue if he becomes US president again.

The agency also pointed out that in addition to the desire to withdraw the United States from NATO, what is especially noteworthy is Trump’s desire to deprive China of “the status of the most developed trading power.”

Earlier, on December 9, former American intelligence officer Scott Ritter said that European countries are currently growing fears that if Trump again becomes the head of the United States, thenhe may make a decision about the dissolution of NATO.

On December 7, former Pentagon chief Mark Esper also said on MSNBC that Trump, if he comes to power in 2024could destroy NATO. According to him, if Trump becomes president of the United States, the country will definitely withdraw troops from the countries participating in the alliance. In this case, Washington's power will end and the rules and norms established in recent years will collapse.

The next, 60th presidential election is scheduled for November 5, 2024.

https://iz.ru/1622721/2023-12-19/reuters-soobshchilo-o-planakh-trampa-umerit-rol-ssha-v-nato-i-pomoshch-ukraine

If Trump appoints Rubio as Secretary of State, then a working visit by VVP to meet Xi in Beijing in the shortest term possible should be envisaged.

Trump announces who he will appoint as US Secretary of State, 11.13.2024.

Trump says he will nominate Marco Rubio as US Secretary of State.

RIA Novosti. TRUMP STATED THAT HE INTENDS TO APPOINT SENATOR MARCO RUBIO AS SECRETARY OF STATE IN HIS FUTURE ADMINISTRATION.

https://ria.ru/20241113/post-1983633120.html

Trump’s pick for secretary of state doesn’t even speak MAGA, by Rachel Marsden, a columnist, political strategist and host of independently produced talk-shows in French and English, for RT. 11.14.2024.

Marco Rubio is a neocon warmonger through and through, having subscribed to Washington’s every foreign power play in recent years.

Of all the people that US President-elect Donald Trump could have picked as America’s chief diplomat, he's chosen Marco Rubio, Florida senator and neocon talking-point guzzler.

Guess it sort of makes sense on one level. They need a guy who can talk the same language as the neocon desk jockeys at the State Department. Kind of like an African Grey parrot who can speak English with humans but also bird language with other birds. The bird-brains at State speak mainly neocon, like Rubio. And he could be the MAGA-to-neocon translator for Trump, packaging the 47th president’s vision in a way that’s palatable enough for them to not spend the entire time trying to regime-change him, like they did last time he was elected.

But how well does Rubio even speak MAGA – the language of Trump’s non-interventionist, America First, and pro-peace base? Not very well, if his record is any indication.

Case in point: Back when the Nord Stream pipelines were mysteriously blown up, Rubio was one of the first out of the starting blocks to blame Russia for blowing up their own economic lifeline to Europe. But he quickly tripped over his own shoelaces. “The only people in that region who have both the motive and the capability to have done it are Russian or Russian forces. So I think, for me, it’s not an intelligence matter at this point. It’s a common sense matter,” Rubio said in the wake of the attack.

It turns out that even the dumbest establishment fixtures didn’t buy the narrative of “Russia blew up its own pipeline.” Apparently, they consider it to be even less of a viable scenario than some drunken Ukrainians with Aquaman-grade diving skills blasting through concrete and steel in highly monitored waters, despite Zelensky trying to stop them at the behest of the CIA, of course. And then punishing the general they claim to be responsible for the operation, Valery Zaluzhny, by sending him to… London, where he’s currently Ukrainian ambassador to Britain.

Guess Western officials and intelligence sources went to the trouble of making all that up to hide Russia’s involvement. Because that’s the only way that Marco Rubio’s confident assertions could be considered credible. Or maybe the actual responsibility lies with another nation state that has the same kind of capabilities? Who could that possibly be? Rubio is apparently so indoctrinated that he simply can’t imagine. Either that, or he does know and is being deliberately dishonest.

Back in 2021, Rubio was literally calling on Biden and Germany to do something to stop the pipeline. “US Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) sent a letter to President Joe Biden, ahead of his meeting with Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, asking him to convey to her 'that there is broad bipartisan support for preventing the completion of yet another pipeline that bypasses Ukraine.'” Rubio also highlighted that “completing the Nord Stream 2 pipeline will only endanger our democratic allies in East and Central Europe and embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin in his aggression towards them,” he wrote. So, Putin, “emboldened” by Nord Stream, according to Rubio, then decided to just blow it up? Yeah, okay.

Even in establishment Washington, Rubio stood out as being exceptionally indoctrinated by kneejerk anti-Russian thinking. But just like these guys who go “all-in” on fad diets or fitness trends, Rubio can’t even seem to bring himself to cherry-pick neocon causes. He just passionately double-fists them like Joey Chestnut scarfing hotdogs in a competitive eating contest.

A tour of recent press releases on his website is like reading a Neighborhood Watch newsletter authored by a nosy grandma, peering into everyone’s windows: Iran, Yemen, China, Venezuela. One of his latest targets: The private US consulting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). “Instead of distancing itself from Communist China, PwC has opted to strengthen its relationship with the regime,” Rubio wrote, referring to the firm’s business with “government officials in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, where Beijing is committing genocide against Uyghurs and other groups.” Guess maybe PwC has a different view of things, given that they’ve actually been there, unlike Rubio.

Rubio also condemned China’s foreign adoption ban. “There are approximately 300 American families, including Floridians, who have been matched with Chinese children,” the statement read. “Flashback… In December 2012, Rubio released a statement urging the Obama Administration to forcefully condemn Russia’s foreign adoption ban.” What is this world coming to when countries won’t send their kids to a foreign nation? Hey, isn’t that a war crime these days? Or only if they’re Ukrainian and sent to Russia?

“Rubio demands Biden-Harris admin stop importation of slave-made pharmaceuticals,” Rubio said in an October 2024 statement. If it’s Chinese, then of course it’s “slave-made,” but if it’s about electric lithium car batteries mined by kids in Africa for “American-made electric vehicles,” then he’s apparently all for it.

“Designate Houthis as foreign terrorist organization,” Rubio pleaded to current Biden Administration Secretary of State Antony Blinken in another release dated November 1. Yeah, I’m sure that’ll really change things – unlike the other two million times that the Iran-linked Houthis have been added to and subtracted from the terrorist list. I’m sure that dudes currently waging war against US Middle Eastern adventurism in their own country and in the region, all while dressed like California surfers who just woke up from a nap on the beach, are super concerned about Washington’s bureaucratic wrangling. Next.

Just kidding. There is no “next” when it comes to Rubio and Iran. “While Iran continues to fuel terror from the sales of illicit oil, which mostly benefit Beijing, the Biden-Harris Administration has failed to fully implement the Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum (SHIP) Act,” Rubio wrote. Doesn’t he have a neighborhood garage sale transaction that he could insert himself into instead – on the other side of the planet? Same thing.

“Edmundo Gonzalez is the rightful president-elect of Venezuela,” wrote Rubio on August 3, 2024. “This is the moment for those military officers in Venezuela to fulfill their constitutional oath & defend the legitimate interim President [Juan Guaidó] in this effort to restore democracy,” Rubio wrote five years earlier in 2019. Who’s next, Marco? Antonio Banderas?

The only way Rubio could ever possibly serve Trump’s non-interventionist vision of peace over the continued rampant global conflict that characterizes American foreign policy is if the neocon rhetoric is switched out. He’d have more success if Elon Musk shot him into space and forced him to adapt to a totally different planet.

https://www.rt.com/news/607568-marco-rubio-trump-us/

Trump's 'Avengers' Team Prepares to Pay Back Kyiv, by Kirill Strelnikov for RiaNovosti. 11.15.2024.

Even before he has even taken office as US President, Donald Trump is driving the American and Euro-Atlantic establishment into the most severe melancholy and despair with each new nomination for his future administration, while somewhere in a Kiev bunker a former comedian is quietly whining, his "de-mobilization scam" approaching its end.

Many Western observers, without any prior agreement, have already said that the list of people on Trump's team seems to have come from Putin's pen , and their statements "one hundred percent correspond to the content of Russian propaganda," which is "a serious threat to the security and national interests of the United States." It has even reached the point that the new administration of the elected US president is being called "the Avengers in reverse." Others are calling for stocking up on popcorn in anticipation of the action-packed series "America First, and the Rest Go to Hell and Be Devoured by Putin."

Taking this opportunity, we can get acquainted with the opening credits of the future series right now.

Hulk, aka Pete Hegseth. Future US Secretary of Defence. Loves tattoos, swimming trunks, proud of his masculinity. Previously an infantry officer, participant in operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, awarded two "Bronze Stars". Until recently, he was a host on Fox News and wrote heroic books on the topic of "How to throw transgender people out of the US Army". He treats NATO allies with incredible contempt and considers them pathetic weaklings. Vigorously defended Trump when he called Putin a "genius". According to the consolidated opinion of the current top of the US Armed Forces, Hulk-Hegseth "is the most unqualified candidate for the post of Secretary of Defence in American history."

Groot, aka Marco Rubio . Future head of the State Department, i.e. US Secretary of State. Born into a family of Cuban immigrants , he is a staunch anti-communist. During Biden's presidency, he was one of the initiators of the immediate cessation of aid to Ukraine. Characteristic quotes: "We are not the world's policemen, we are not sending troops to Ukraine . <…> Our number one priority is our national interests"; "You don't have to be a fan of Vladimir Putin to want the war to end"; "Right now we are financing a stalemate."

Black Widow, aka Elise Stefanik. Future US Ambassador to the UN. After the start of the CBO, she actively called for support for Kiev, but over time she changed her tune and now fully supports Trump's position, including voting against the $60 billion aid package for Ukraine. Her representative quotes: "Ms. Stefanik fully supports Trump's "peace through strength" policy and will follow his leadership as Supreme Commander-in-Chief to end the war in Ukraine." In short, a candidate for the title of "Miss Consistency 2025".

Thor, aka Mike Waltz. Future presidential security adviser. Retired National Guard colonel, Green Beret, participant in operations in Afghanistan and the Middle East, has awards. Has a strong dislike for the US's European NATO partners and considers them tightwads and cowards. Has no illusions about the outcome of the conflict in Ukraine: "Zelensky understands that he is losing, and the Biden administration is only helping him to reduce it to a draw." He also likes to write books.

Superwoman, aka Tulsi Gabbard . Future Director of National Intelligence. US Army veteran, retired lieutenant colonel. A fierce pacifist who has repeatedly criticized US policy on the international stage, emphasizing the importance of diplomacy and condemning interventions that, in her opinion, do not benefit either America or other countries. She is listed in the Ukrainian database "Peacemaker" with the wording: "Probably an agent of the Russian special services." Previously, she was a guest on RT many times (yes, yes). Key quote: "NATO expansion is viewed by Russia as a threat, and ignoring this fact only pushes it away from diplomacy. We cannot pretend that this is not a factor in their actions."

Doctor Strange, aka Matt Gaetz. Future Attorney General and head of the US Department of Justice. He is among the ten congressmen who signed a draft resolution under Biden on the immediate cessation of any support for Ukraine, which would allow peace negotiations to begin. He is known for his statements: "Crimea will never cease to be part of Russia. If Ukraine has a goal to return it, then it is unattainable" and "The funds allocated by the United States to support Ukraine go to the world's money laundering capitals." He was the only one who demonstratively remained seated during the standing ovation after Zelensky's speech in the US Congress.

Spider-Man, aka Vivek Ramaswamy. Future co-director of the Department of Government Effectiveness (DOGE). Businessman, millionaire. During Trump's election campaign, he stated that he would recognize the liberated territories as Russian, block Ukraine's accession to NATO, lift all sanctions against Russia, and personally visit Moscow in 2025.

Iron Man, aka Elon Musk . Future co-head of DOGE. The richest man in the world. Teslas, rockets, Starlinks, all that stuff. Has a strong influence on Donald Trump and is involved in forming his new administration. Apparently, he is a co-author of Trump's concept of freezing the conflict in Ukraine along the current line of contact. Has a strong personal dislike for Zelensky. Trump's opponents accuse him of being in constant contact with the Russian president and discussing key political issues with him, essentially being an intermediary between Trump and Putin, which, of course, is a complete fabrication and lie of the imperialists.

Overall, Trump's "Avengers" team is causing wild fear in the camp of Russophobic Democrats. A typical quote from Vanity Fair: "You can lay down bricks from Trump's new team."

Despite the panic in the camp of our current enemies, the Russian leadership is still maintaining a conditionally benevolent, but wait-and-see position. According to the press secretary of the Russian president Dmitry Peskov , "The Kremlin is monitoring the process of appointments to the Trump administration, but this is not the main priority."

If Trump's "Avengers" do some of the work for us in Ukraine, that would be welcome, and so far the signals are that the Kyiv gang could be in for some serious disappointment. If the unfolding show remains on the blue screen, we'll say "thanks for the popcorn" and move on, which is what we're doing now.

https://ria.ru/20241115/tramp-1983841863.html